OXFORD – Ole Miss senior running back Ulysses Bentley IV’s job isn’t to pout and sulk when things aren’t going well. His mission is to lead. And, despite a season that didn’t necessarily go according to plan, he’s stayed true to that mantra.
Bentley, who transferred from SMU prior to the 2022 season, ran for 540 yards and four touchdowns last year, part of a dynamic 1-2 punch with Quinshon Judkins. With Judkins transferring to Ohio State in the offseason, Bentley figured to combine with senior transfer Henry Parrish Jr. – who began his career at Ole Miss before transferring to Miami and then back – to once again form a potent rushing attack in 2024.
Bentley carried the ball just 16 times over the first four games of the season, however, and did not log a carry in the Rebels’ first two SEC games, with Parrish receiving the bulk of the rushing attempts. Bentley broke out against LSU – a 50-yard rushing touchdown being the highlight – and finished with 107 yards in the Rebels’ overtime loss.
“Just being ready at any point in time when my name was called,” Bentley said Wednesday. “And when my name was called, and I had the opportunity, everyone was aware and (saw) what I did. So, I definitely don’t regret any of those things at all.”
But Bentley’s usage remained somewhat inconsistent in the ensuing weeks, logging 10 combined carries in wins against Oklahoma and Arkansas. Parrish suffered a season-ending injury against the Razorbacks, and Bentley led the Rebels with 13 carries the next week against Georgia. He did not log an offensive touch at Florida, though, with the Rebels instead opting to run the ball with senior wide receiver Micah Davis. Bentley capped off the regular season with a bang, logging a season-high 20 carries and 136 rushing yards in an Egg Bowl win over Mississippi State.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin was asked throughout the season about Bentley and his lack of usage, including the Monday after the loss at Florida.
“He’s handled it really well,” Kiffin said in part. “… You have to make hard decisions when you’re the head coach, and you can’t please everybody. So, it is what it is.”
Bentley is among the vast majority of No. 14 Ole Miss’ (9-3, 5-3 SEC) draft-eligible players who have opted into playing in the Gator Bowl against Duke (9-3, 5-3 ACC) on Jan. 2. As a veteran on the team, Bentley realizes other players look up to him. And if he had a bad attitude throughout the season, it wouldn’t have set a good example for anyone, nor would it have been productive for him.
“I really just wasn’t frustrated,” Bentley said. “Like I said early on, I’m a leader on the team. And a lot of guys look upon that. I always kept a positive attitude. I just think when you’re going into it as a player – anybody, just through life – if you just keep a positive attitude through anything, man, everything is going to be all right for you.”
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